Hydraulically operated bench-mounted press unit

ABSTRACT

A highly portable bench-mounted press unit having hydraulically movable cylinder supports for the punch and die holders of the press unit, with the hydraulically movable cylinders providing the only support and connection between the punch and die holders.

[ Oct. 28, 1975 [5 1 HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED 3,371,569 3/1968 Pearson eta1. 3 472,109 10/1969 Haas et BENCH-MOUNTED PRESS UNIT [76] Inventor:

Erich Bley, 1301 Tonne, Elk Grove;

y d mm r h m wC 6d m w d GE .w F r W0 .m t mm Mm E, W a m mm rt PA 4 7 9m 8 0 1 6 v .LO N m m H 1 2 2 1 [21] Appl. No.1 524,977

ABSTRACT [52] US. 83/639; 100/269 R A highly portable bench mountedpress unit having [51] Int. Cl. B26D 5/12; B3OB 1/32 Field of S rch83/639 100 269 R hydraulically movable cyllnder supports for the punchea and die holders of the press unit, with the hydraulically movablecylinders providing the only support References (Med and connectionbetween the punch and die holders. UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,091,147 Hollet a1. 83/639 X 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US. Patent Oct.28, 1975Sheet 1 of2 3,915,044

3 1 2? 2% 3 HI! F I i a ii! i m l i ii? 1 2a 2a 1 E m 1% r 1 EL. I?flill WWW W W 19 1 F I 1 l I! 11 /1O flS. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet 2of2 3,915,044

HYDRAULICALLY OPERATED BENCH-MOUNTED PRESS UNIT SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA press unit which may be readily mounted upon a worktable or bench,which is highly efficient in operation, and which is of the constructionillustrated. The press unit includes a pair of parallel cylindricalsupports for the upper and lower dies. Each of these supports comprisesa hydraulic cylinder and piston arrangement, with the cylinder carriedby the lower die half or die holder and with the piston supportconnected to the upper die half or punch holder. A sufficient guidebushing is provided between the cylinder and piston for proper linearmovement relative to each other, as well as proper seals and bearingportions between the movable parts of the press unit.

The invention is best illustrated by the accompanying drawings whichshow the preferred embodiment of the invention and its best mode ofconstruction, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the press unit of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the press unit of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of one of thehydraulically movable column supports for the press unit.

As shown in FIG. 1, the press unit of this invention comprises a base orlower die half which functions as the die holder and which supports apair of columns 11 and 12. Each of the columns 11 and 12 is connected tothe base 10 in a like manner, and therefore only one will be described.

As shown in FIG. 3, the column 12 is adapted to be projected into anopening 13 formed in the base 10 transversely with respect to itslongitudinal length. The column 12 provides an insert end 14 which isprojected partially into the opening 13. The remaining portion of theopening 13 is adapted to be closed by a cap plate 15 which has an insertportion 16 projecting into the column 12 for sealing the same. The capplate 15 is mounted to the column 12 by a series of mounting screws 17,with the cap plate 15 in turn connected to the base 10 by mountingscrews 18.

The column 12 is, in effect, the cylinder for a hydrauliccylinder-piston arrangement.

As shown, the column 12 is journalled in a guide bushing 19 whichprovides intermediate its ends an external circumferentially extendingflange 20 which forms a mounting surface for the upper die half 21 whichfunctions as the punch holder. The guide bushing 19 by mounting screws22 which project through the flange 20, is connected to the punch holder21. The guide bushing 19 is of a length so as to axially extend througha suitable opening 23 formed in the punch holder 21 as shown.

Adapted to be mounted over the upper end of the column 12 as well as theupper end of the guide bushing 19, is a pusher housing 24. The pusherhousing 24 provides a circumferentially extending end flange 25 which bya series of mounting screws 26 is fixedly connected to the punch holder21. A top wall 27 closes the upper end of the pusher housing 24 and, asshown, is provided with a center opening 28 through which a reducedupper end portion 29 of the piston 30 projects. Externally of the topwall 27 there is mounted a washer 2 31 and a connecting nut 32 forconnecting the piston 30 to the pusher housing 24.

Within the pusher housing 24 there is provided an upper cap plate 33which by a plurality of mounting screws 34 is connected to and seals theupper end of the column 12. The upper cap plate 33 provides an insertportion 35 which has a reduced diameter and which is adapted to beprojected into the upper end of the column 12 as shown. Between theupper edge of the column 12 and at the junction of the reduced insert 35with the main body portion of the upper cap plate 33, is placed anO-ring 36 for effectively sealing the interior area of the column 12.

The opposite end of the upper cap plate 33 provides a reduced bearingportion 37 adapted to be projected into the center opening of a stopdisc 38.

The piston 30 is adapted to be journalled through a central openingformed in the upper cap plate 33 as well as the insert portion 35 andcircular bearing portion 37. The insert 35 of the upper cap plate 33 hasits internal bore 39 of a size to receive a bronze bearing 40 which isadapted to encircle the piston 30 as well as a series of wiper packings41. The bronze bearing 40 and wiper packings 41 are held within thecenter bore 39 of the insert 35 by a retainer ring 42.

The inner end of the piston 30 provides a piston head 43 which is of adiameter equal to the inner diameter of the column 12. Encircling thepiston head 43 and adapted to be in contact with the inner wall of thecylinder 12 are a pair of packing rings 44.

The cap plate 15 is provided with two inlet ports 45 and 46 each ofwhich is adapted to receive the ends of a suitable hydraulic line. Theinlet port 45 is associated with a passage 47 which has opencommunication with the interior of the column 12 between the inner faceof the piston head 43 and the inner wall surface of the insert portion16 of the cap plate 15. The inlet port 46 is in communication with apassage 48 formed in the cap plate 15, which in turn is in communicationwith a passage 49 formed in the wall of the column 12. The passage 49provides an exhaust. port 50 which has open communication with an areasurrounding the piston 30 between the inner wall face of the piston head43 and the upper cap plate insert 35.

By this arrangement the punch holder or upper die half 21 ishydraulically supported in relation to the lower die half or die holder10. When suitable hydraulic fluid is introduced into the: inlet port 45and through the passage 47, it will hydraulically react upon the pistonhead 43 and piston 30, moving the same in a vertical path of travelupwardly within the column 12, raising the punch holder 21 away from thedie holder 10. This upward movement will continue until the inner edgeof the guide bushing 19 engages the stop disc 38 which is fixedlyconnected to the column 12.

In the event that the hydraulic fluid is introduced through the inlet 46and passages 48 and 49 and exhausts through the exhaust port 50, it willreact upon the piston head 43 of the piston 30, driving the same in adownward direction within the column 12 and moving the punch holder 21in a direction toward the die holder 10.

As there is provided a pair of hydraulic supports between the punchholder 21 and die holder 10, the hydraulic moving force may be regulatedso as to be uniform in each of the columns 11 and 12 and obtain theoptimum operating pressure necessary to perform the desired task.

" the hydraulic reacting cylinder-piston arrangement providing thenecessary supports between the punch holder and'the die 'holder of thepress unit.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form ofconstruction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable ofvariation and modification without departing from the spirit of theinvention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precisedetails of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of suchvariations and modifications as come within the scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire toprotect by Letters Patent is:

l. A hydraulically operated press unit having a base die holder and amovable punch holder comprising a; a pair of hollow support columnsextending vertically from the base die holder and freely journalledthrough the movable punch holder,

b. means connecting said columns to the'base die holder and for sealingthe lower ends thereof,

' 0. means encircling and guiding said columns as they project throughthe punch holder,

'd. pistons reciprocally movable axially through said hollow columns,

e. means connecting the punch holder to said pistons for movementtherewith relative to said base die holder,

f. means closing the upper ends of said hollow columns while permittingmovement of said pistons 7 through said columns, and

g.'hydraulic means for moving said pistons reciprocally through saidcolumns to move the punch holder toward and away from the base dieholder.

2. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 1, whereinsaid pistons and said hollow support columns cooperate to define a firstexpandable chamber on one side of one end of said pistons and a secondexpandable chamber on the other side of said one end of saidpistons,'said columns and said closing and sealing means thereforproviding first and second axial passages open to said first and secondchambers respectively, with said passages adapted to be selectivelyconnected to a valved source of fluid under pressure so as and movabletherewith about said columns so as to 4 holder and to maintain axialalignment of said pistons during such movement.

4. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 3, whereinsaid pistons and said hollow support columns cooperate to define a firstexpandable chamber on one side of one end of said pistons and a secondexpandable chamber on the other side of said one end of said pistons,said columns and said closing and sealing means therefor providing firstand second axial passages open to said first and second chambersrespectively, with said passages adapted to be selectively connected toa valved source of fluid under pressure so as guide said columns as theyproject through said punch to reciprocally move said pistons throughsaid columns.

5. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 1, whereinsaid means connecting the punch holder to said pistons comprises ahousing over the upper end of each of said columns connected to each ofsaid pistons, with the side walls of said housings extending axially ofeach of said pistons and peripherally connected to the top surface ofthe punch holder, with said housings cooperating with said pistons tomove said punch holder toward and away from the base die holder. I

6. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 5, whereinsaid pistons and said columns cooperate to define a first expandablechamber on one side of one end of said pistons and a second expandablechamber on the other side'of said one end of said pistons, said columnsand said closing and sealing means therefor providing first and secondaxial passages open to said first and second chambers respectively, withsaid passages adapted to be selectively connected to a valved source offluid underpressure so as to reciprocally move said pistons through saidcolumns.

7. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 5, whereinsaid means encircling and guiding said columns comprises an elongagedbushing encircling said columns and of a length greater thanthe-thickness of the punch holder so as to extend beyond either sidethereof, said bushings connected to the punch holder and movabletherewith about said columns so as to guide said columns as they projectthrough said punch holder and to maintain axial alignment of saidpistons during such movement.

8. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 4, whereinsaid means connecting the punch holder to said pistons comprises ahousing over the upper end of each of said columns connected to each ofsaid pistons, with the side walls of said housings extending axially ofeach of said pistons and peripherally connected to the top surface ofthe punch holder, with said housings cooperating with said pistons tomove said punch holder toward and away from the base die holder.

1. A hydraulically operated press unit having a base die holder and amovable punch holder comprising a. a pair of hollow support columnsextending vertically from the base die holder and freely journalledthrough the movable punch holder, b. means connecting said columns tothe base die holder and for sealing the lower ends thereof, c. meansencircling and guiding said columns as they project through the punchholder, d. pistons reciprocally movable axially through said hollowcolumns, e. means connecting the punch holder to said pistons formovement therewith relative to said base die holder, f. means closingthe upper ends of said hollow columns while permitting movement of saidpistons through said columns, and g. hydraulic means for moving saidpistons reciprocally through said columns to move the punch holdertoward and away from the base die holder.
 2. A hydraulically operatedpress unit as defined by claim 1, wherein said pistons and said hollowsupport columns cooperate to define a first expandable chamber on oneside of one end of said pistons and a second expandable chamber on theother side of said one end of said pistons, said columns and saidclosing and sealing means therefor providing first and second axialpassages open to said first and second chambers respectively, with saidpassages adapted to be selectively connected to a valved source of fluidunder pressure so as to reciprocally move said pistons through saidcolumns.
 3. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined in claim 1,wherein said means encircling and guiding said columns comprises anelongated bushing encircling said columns and of a length greater thanthe thickness of the punch holder so as to extend beyond either sidethereof, said bushings connected to the punch holder and movabletherewith about said columns so as to guide said columns as they projectthrough said punch holder and to maintain axial alignment of saidpistons during such movement.
 4. A hydraulically operated press unit asdefined by claim 3, wherein said pistons and said hollow support columnscooperate to define a first expandable chamber on one side of one end ofsaid pistons and a second expandable chamber on the other side of saidone end of said pistons, said columns and said closing and sealing meanstherefor providing first and second axial passages open to said firstand second chambers respectively, with said passages adapted to beselectively connected to a valved source of fluid under pressure so asto reciprocally move said pistons through said columns.
 5. Ahydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 1, wherein saidmeans connecting the punch holder to said pistons comprises a housingover the upper end of each of said columns connected to each of saidpistons, with the side walls of said housings extending axially of eachof said pistons and peripherally connected to the top surface of thepunch holder, with said housings cooperating with said pistons to movesaid punch holder toward and away from the base die holder.
 6. Ahydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 5, wherein saidpistons and said columns cooperate to define a first expandable chamberon one side of one end of said pistons and a second expandable chamberon the other side of said one end of said pistons, said columns and saidclosing and sealing means therefor providing first and second axialpassages open to said first and second chambers respectively, with saidpassages adapted to be selectively connected to a valved source of fluidunder pressure so as to reciprocally move said pistons through saidcolumns.
 7. A hydraulically operated press unit as defined by claim 5,wherein said means encircling and guiding said columns comprises anelongated bushing encircling said columns and of a length greater thanthe thickness of the punch holder so as to extend beyond either sidethereof, said bushings connected to the punch holder and movabletherewith about said columns so as to guide said columns as they projectthrough said punch holder and to maintain axial alignment of saidpistons during such movement.
 8. A hydraulically operated press unit asdefined by claim 4, wherein said means connecting the punch holder tosaid pistons comprises a housing over the upper end of each of saidcolumns connected to each of said pistons, with the side walls of saidhousings extending axially of each of said pistons and peripherallyconnected to the top surface of the punch holder, with said housingscooperating with said pistons to move said punch holder toward and awayfrom the base die holder.